ASU's Vice President and University Dean of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Mitzi Montoya to keynote Techie Women Have More... Conference

By Eliza Williams

Friday, February 20, 2015

The Indiana University Center of Excellence for Women in Technology (CEWiT) will welcome Mitzi Montoya, Vice President and University Dean of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Arizona State University, as the keynote speaker at the Techie Women Have More… conference this March.

Montoya is a champion for student entrepreneurship and is responsible for advancing ASU as a leader in technology and innovation. She is a Professor in the Management Department of the W.P. Carey School of Business and serves on the board of the Center for Entrepreneurship. Dr. Montoya received her Ph.D. in Marketing and Statistics and a B.S. in Applied Engineering Science, both from Michigan State University.

Montoya helps students, faculty, staff and community members “make their ideas happen” and drives innovation and success.

“I love the idea of helping people see that they have the opportunity, ability and resources that they need to drive changes, whether it’s a new business or product or nonprofit,” said Montoya. “I love helping people persist and overcome barriers.”

Information technology and computer science fields are disciplines lacking women. Young women pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) will face challenges and barriers throughout their educations and careers. Montoya stresses the importance of entrepreneurship and career management for both men and women across all disciplines, but particularly for women pursuing technology careers.

“STEM fields have particular challenges associated with them. We all need to think of ourselves as entrepreneurs as we manage our education and career. It is hard - that is reality - but working through hardships is an incredibly powerful feeling and leads to greater opportunity,” said Montoya.

Her keynote speech at the Techie Women Have More… conference will focus on the importance of doing, being and making more.

"The conference title of Techie Women Have More… is a message that resonates with what we believe at ASU. My message is focused on the fact that experimentation and trial and error are normal. Making mistakes is okay. In the end, working through failure and continuing to try, leads students to more opportunities that make a difference,” said Montoya.

The Techie Women Have More… conference is taking place from 10 a.m. Friday, March 6 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, and will offer sessions for students, faculty, and staff. For more information and to register, visit https://techiewomenhavemore.wordpress.com.

ASU's Vice President and University Dean of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Mitzi Montoya will present the keynote address at the 2015 Techie Women Have More... Conference on Friday, March 6.